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Dale Earnhardt Jr. among my top five Chase surprises of 2013

If not for an engine failure early in the Chase, Dale Earnhardt Jr. would likely be a Cup contender.

If not for an engine failure early in the Chase, Dale Earnhardt Jr. would likely be a Cup contender.

Keselowski didn't qualify for the playoffs this season, but given his mastery of the Chase tracks in 2012, expectations were high for the driver of the No. 2 Dodge. He hasn't delivered. Yes, he did reach Victory Lane at Charlotte in October, but the reigning Cup champ's average finish in the first eight playoff races has been 14.0 -- a far cry from his Chase average of 6.2 from a year ago.

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